The 7 Leave No Trace Principles and How to Follow Them

The great outdoors can be enjoyed by anyone and they benefit everyone. Spending time in the sunshine will give you a shot of vitamin D while the fresh air improves your energy levels and mood. Whether you’re having a picnic in the park or backpacking through the wilderness, it’s important to never take the outdoors for granted.

Nature is so good to us, and we get so much from spending time among it, why wouldn’t we want to be good to it in return? One of the best ways to show the great outdoors your appreciation is to practice Leave No Trace (© 1999 by the Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics: www.LNT.org).

These are 7 principles that, when followed, will minimize your impact on your favorite natural spaces. Using research from biologists and leaders in outdoor education, the Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics regularly updates these principles to reflect the most recent findings.

To get the most out of the great outdoors while doing your part to protect it, always practice the guidelines listed below.

The Leave No Trace Principles

1. Plan Ahead and Prepare

No matter what your preferred outdoor adventure looks like, it’s crucial that you have a plan and are well-prepared before you set out. Poor planning will not only prevent you from enjoying the great outdoors to the fullest but will also make damaging natural resources more likely, especially if you’re a beginner with hiking.

Preparation might take time at first, but once you have some practice and knowledge under your belt, adventure planning will become second nature.

How exactly do you plan? Well, that will somewhat depend on the type of adventure you’re going to have. Planning a kayaking trip is going to look different than staying overnight on a trail, for example. That said, there are a few questions that should always be asked when outlining your plans:

• What’s the skill level of each person on the trip?
• What does the weather forecast look like for the day(s) you’ll be outdoors?
• Are there any regulations or restrictions to bear in mind?
• What’s the area/terrain like where you’re headed?
• What’s the average hiking/paddling/etc. speed of each person on the trip?
• How much food will you need for the number of people/planned trip time?

Especially when you’re new to outdoor adventures, it can be tempting to pack more than you need. But overpacking should be avoided whenever possible. Not only does it put unnecessary strain on you but it can lead to leftovers and litter. If you’re bringing food, be sure to pack a sealable bag that you can store trash in until you’re able to dispose of it properly.

2. Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces

Have you ever seen “stay on the trail” signs while hiking? This is because the second rule of Leave No Trace is to travel (and camp!) on durable surfaces, meaning areas that aren’t easily trampled by travelers.

Traveling/Hiking

Next time you’re considering cutting across a switchback or venturing off-trail, remember that irresponsible hiking can cause irreparable damage to both vegetation and wildlife. Trails are scars on natural landscapes, and it’s important to do our part to keep that destruction to a minimum.

Now, when you’re hiking, there are going to be times when you need to stop to talk to your hiking buddies or have a snack. On top of that, some backcountry travel involves hiking in off-trail areas. When you’re forced to go off-trail, stick to the most durable surfaces possible. These include rock, sand, gravel, ice, and snow.

If you have no choice but to walk through vegetation, don’t do so in a line if your hiking party includes more than one person. Walking along different paths will cut down on the amount of trampling that occurs.

Backcountry Camping

Let’s talk about backcountry camping first, as it demands a greater level of knowledge and skill to do so responsibly. This is particularly true if you’re camping in undisturbed or pristine areas.

The first thing to note is that remote areas should only be used for camping by skilled hikers who are committed to protecting them. If you don’t feel confident in your ability to Leave No Trace, that’s okay! Camp in an area that sees more traffic until you gain more experience.

When choosing a campsite, consider the most durable surfaces listed above. Avoid setting up camp on vegetation if possible.

If you do camp on vegetation, disperse your tents rather than putting them right next to each other, avoid following repetitive routes through the campsite, and move your tent every night. Every time you move camp, cover scuffed areas and brush away footprints and matted grass with a stick.

Camping in a High-Use Area

Although backcountry camping requires a deeper knowledge of the area and a more thorough assessment of your impact on your chosen campsite, camping in high-use areas doesn’t come without responsibility.

First, set up camp at least 200 feet from any water source. This allows wildlife to access the water without fear of campers.

Other than that, do your best to confine your tent and other gear to the sections of your campsite that have already been impacted beyond repair, meaning the areas that have lost their vegetation. The goal should be to avoid spreading the damage to other sections of the campsite.

3. Dispose of Waste Properly

I don’t know about you, but for me, seeing litter on the trail (or in any natural space, for that matter) is one of my biggest pet peeves. There’s no excuse for it. And the blatant disregard for both the natural area and other adventurers is honestly a little disturbing.

That said, “waste” here doesn’t only refer to disposable water bottles and granola bar wrappers. Waste refers to anything you introduce to the area that wasn’t there previously. This means human waste, litter, rinse water, and personal care products, such as soap, lotion, and sunscreen.

Human Waste

We all go – it’s part of being a human…or a cat…or a shark…any living thing, really. Unless you’re a tree, then no worries. But moving forward, let’s assume you’re human. There’s nothing wrong with going in the woods, however, as you might have guessed, it has to be disposed of properly.

Choosing the right disposal site will maximize decomposition while minimizing your impact on the nearby water and land. In certain places, solid waste has to be packed out, but in the vast majority of situations, you can simply dig a cat hole.

A cat hole should be at least 200 feet from all water sources, 6-8 inches deep, and 4-6 inches in diameter. If you can, dig it in a spot that gets a lot of sunlight to speed up decomposition. Obviously, your cat hole should also be in an area where other people are unlikely to walk or camp.

When you’re finished, fill in the hole with the dirt you dug up, then cover it with natural materials. If you’re camping with a big group or need to dig multiple cat holes yourself, don’t dig them too close to each other.

Litter

The key thing to remember here is “pack it in, pack it out.” Enjoy camping, hiking, and any other outdoor activity, but leave nothing behind.

If you stop for a mid-hike snack, ensure that your trash is stored securely in your bag before setting off again. When camping, inspect your campsite for any litter or leftover food (including spills) before leaving.

Instead of attempting to burn your trash and leftovers, which can leave residue and half-burnt garbage that attracts wildlife behind, bring a trash bag to carry your garbage out with you. Even things like fruit peels and other organic debris should never be left behind.

Rinse Water

If you’re going for an easy day hike, you won’t need to wash yourself or any dishes, but the need is likely to arise on multi-day hikes or camping trips. When you’re creating wastewater, however, you have to dispose of it in the right way.

Improper handling of wastewater can cause pollution of lakes and rivers, as well as trampling of the shorelines. The first step is to take the water you collect at least 200 feet away from the source. When disposing of your wastewater, whether from bathing or washing dishes, scatter it broadly rather than dumping it all in one place.

With dishwashing, it’s important to strain the water before scattering it. Remember, leaving behind particles of food is considered litter. Pack out any leftovers or crumbs using a plastic bag.

As for bathing, use a sanitizer that doesn’t require rinsing whenever possible. When you do use soap, do so sparingly, as even biodegradable options can cause water pollution.

Last, as fun as it is to swim in a creek or other small body of water, do so with caution. Though sunscreen is an absolute necessity outdoors, any sunscreen, bug spray, lotion, etc., that you applied earlier in the day can contaminate the water.

4. Leave What You Find

Any time you enjoy a natural space, do your best to leave it exactly as you found it. As tempting as it may be, don’t take any rocks, plants, or other objects of interest with you. The main reason for doing this is to protect the integrity of the space and leave wildlife the tools they need to survive.

Take tons of pictures. Bring paints and paper with you to turn the beauty of the area into art. But let your pictures and artwork be the only things you take.

In many places, it’s not only frowned upon to remove natural objects and cultural artifacts from their environment, it’s actually illegal. You could get in serious trouble and even be banned from the park for doing so.

Keep in mind that this principle isn’t just about not removing things from the area, it’s also about minimizing alterations. Refrain from digging trenches and using natural objects to build things for your campsite. If you clear an area of rocks and other debris, be sure to put everything back the way you found it before leaving.

Treat trees and plants with the respect that they deserve. Never carve, nail, or hack into trees, and avoid picking flowers and disturbing other types of vegetation.

5. Minimize Campfire Impacts

We’re all familiar with Smokey the Bear’s famous slogan “Only You Can Prevent Wildfires,” which is where the fifth Leave No Trace principle comes in. Not only are irresponsible campfires dangerous, but they can also damage natural areas when the regeneration of wood sources can’t keep up with demand.

There are certain instances in which building a campfire is perfectly fine, and other times when using a camp stove is much preferred. Let’s get into it!

Fire Building Methods and Etiquette

If you’re staying in a well-placed campsite equipped with its own fire ring, there’s nothing wrong with building a fire. However, you should always use firewood from a local source or gather it responsibly from around your campsite. Bringing your own wood can introduce new pests and diseases to the area.

When you do build a campfire, keep it small and put it out completely before walking away from it. To put a fire out, always use water. Dirt is a common means of extinguishing fire but isn’t as reliable as water and can leave some embers burning.

If your campsite doesn’t have a fire ring, you can create a mound fire or use a fire pan. That said, it’s always better to be safe than sorry. A Leave No Trace fire is one that leaves no impact on the surrounding area. If you aren’t 100% confident you can do so, use your camp stove for cooking instead.

Fires should never be built in areas of space vegetation, heavily used areas, or desert settings. Don’t build your fire next to rock outcrops, and elevate your fire pan with rocks or soil so it doesn’t damage the ground underneath.

Again, trees should never be harmed for firewood. Instead of cutting or breaking branches from trees (which don’t burn well anyway), collect downed branches and leaves from the forest floor. And, as always, remember to pack out any wappers and other campfire litter when you leave.

6. Respect Wildlife

There’s nothing better than spotting wildlife on your adventures. Seeing a bear, buffalo, goat, or deer adds a touch of magic to any trip into the great outdoors.

However, these animals should always be admired from afar. It can be tempting to get up close for a better look, but this is frightening for wildlife. You’re exploring their home, be as careful not to disturb them as you can.

How do you do it? Well, the first thing to do is travel in small groups. Large groups make much more noise and make it much more difficult to avoid damaging the area.

When you set up camp, take care to do so at least 200 feet from the nearest water source and avoid going to the water after dark.

In addition, travel quietly and leave animals alone when you see them. Whatever you do, don’t attempt to pet, feed, or approach animals. If you notice an animal that appears sick, notify a park ranger or game warden rather than touching it yourself.

7. Be Considerate of Others

Just as you should respect the wildlife you encounter on your camping or hiking trip, you should always be mindful of other adventurers. We’ve all been in a situation where a fellow camper or hiker has been inconsiderate or taken away from our fun. Don’t be that person!

There are no hard and fast rules when it comes to being courteous. The best thing to do is to always remember that someone else might not have the same ideal outdoor experience that you do.

For example, if you like listening to music on your hike, there’s nothing wrong with that! Just do it with headphones instead of playing it out loud.

When you’re hiking a trail that allows multiple modes of transportation, the general rule is that hikers yield to equestrians, and bicyclists yield to both hikers and equestrians. If you enjoy taking frequent breaks for pictures or snacks, be sure to do so on the side of the trail to allow others to pass without difficulty.

And though there’s nothing better than taking a trip into the outdoors with your four-legged friend, keep in mind that not all parks allow dogs. If they do, waste bags should be at the top of your list of supplies. No one likes an unexpected squish under their boot.

Other than that, just follow the golden rule. Treat others the way you would want to be treated. If everyone did that, the world (and your favorite hiking trails) would be a much better place!

Enjoy the Great Outdoors but Leave No Trace

If you’re like me, getting outdoors is more than a want, it’s a need. Going even a week without it leaves you feeling a little bit miserable. But no matter whether you get outside once a day or once a year, it should always be a priority to Leave No Trace.

I know I just threw a lot of information at you, but a lot of it is common sense and courtesy. Treat the outdoors, and everything that goes along with it, with the utmost respect. This not only allows everyone to be able to get the most out of their experiences but also helps to protect natural spaces so that they may continue to be enjoyed for generations to come.

To keep up with my adventures, follow me on Instagram, and be sure to check out a few of my other posts on hiking, breakfast food, and everything Asheville.

– See ya Out There!